I have literally struggled to find the words to describe my stay at the Galgorm Resort and Spa in Northern Ireland. (Book your stay here)
Raj and I went to stay there in April and it’s taken me so long to get to write this post, simply because I don’t have the vocabulary to describe how dreamy our stay there was.
However, I really do want others to experience this stunning spa so let’s see if I can do it justice.
It was a refreshing morning in late April when we boarded an early morning flight at Birmingham Airport to make the short journey over to Belfast International.
I’ll be honest, I was feeling a little on the sleepy side given our 5am alarm, but that feeling was soon met with excitement when our driver picked us up in a top of the range Range Rover to take us to Galgorm.
Galgorm Resort and Spa is a luxury spa hotel located just 40 minutes away from the airport and the city of Belfast.
As we arrived we were delighted to see that our home for the next three days was a lush, green haven of landscaped gardens, a tumbling river, and an elegant hotel. It truly is picture-perfect.
We arrived just in time for breakfast, a full spread of deliciousness set in a conservatory overlooking the river. The great thing about coming in spring time is the abundance of flowers and the matures in full bloom.
With our bellies full of food we checked into our room, one of the most stylish suites I have ever stayed in. It was instant love.
The suite was elegantly designed with carefully chosen furniture, a fire that connected both rooms, a wrap-around balcony, a kitchenette that was actually an elaborate cocktail station, window seats, an enormous bed, a beautiful bathroom with a large bath, and a view over the stunning grounds.
The suite was perfect.
As soon as we arrived, I must admit, I had a short nap (thanks, 5am start!). But as soon as we were settled in, we donned our white robes provided for in our wardrobe and made our way down to the spa.
The spa area spans two indoor areas and a series of outdoors cabins and pools, all facing out over the River Maine, a large flowing river on which the Galgorm Resort and Spa is situated.
We spent our time soaking in the outdoor hot tubs, relaxing in the various steam rooms and saunas, and just switching off from the outside world.
The spa has a large indoor pool, perfect to get a decent swim on. I do like to stretch out with a swim.
Attached to the pool is both a large wood sauna and an ice room with real snow! That was certainly an experience. Brrrr…..
I loved the River Room, a cabin space with large floor to ceiling windows looking out over the river. It was so peaceful there and ideal for meditation and yoga.
Raj’s favourite was the Celtic Sauna. A few times a day the Galgorm’s Sauna Master (I never knew that was a thing before!) takes you through a meditative experience in the sauna overlooking the river. It’s inspired by the Finnish Aufgass ritual and uses towels and essentials oils to manipulate the air and the heat around you.
The spa also has a few private hot tubs nestled down by the river where you can enjoy a bottle of bubbly, a view and some private relaxation time.
And of course, the spa offers a range of treatments to help loosen the muscles and aid that bliss.
If golf or tennis is your thing, the Galgorm has got you covered there too. And there’s a fitness suite if you need to work your muscles whilst you’re away.
We stayed two nights at the Galgorm Resort and Spa so we managed to sample two of the restaurants on site. First up was Gillies Restaurant, a bar and grill, where we filled up on a massive three-course meal and a bottle of wine.
Oh, and there’s a stables right next the restaurant. Perfect for selfies with the resident horses.
On the second night, we wandered through the fairy-light lit courtyard to Fratellis, an Italian restaurant.
The hotel is also home to a gin bar which is home to over 300 gins! That’ll certainly keep you occupied.
Upon coming back to the suite after our meal we found that we’d had a turn-down service in the room, which was so thoughtful. We found a plate of shortbread and chamomile tea waiting for us on the coffee table. On the bed was a small box of chocolates. And the bed turned down ready for us to jump in.
We lit the fire, put our pyjamas on and snuggled up on the sofa to sip our tea before bed. It was totally dreamy.
The next morning we took our complimentary newspaper (Raj is a fan of the Financial Times) down to breakfast in the River Room. Raj ordered a delicious Kedgeree and I opted for the Irish Breakfast. We sipped on strong coffee and eased into the day.
The rest of the day was spent mulling about the spa or chilling out in our suite brainstorming ideas and putting the world to rights. It was so romantic and felt a million miles from anything else.
On our final day I had to catch up on work so spent the afternoon in the lobby, on a sofa, tapping away on my laptop.
Meanwhile, Raj went for a wander around the expansive hotel grounds and stumbled across the two Rolls Royce. He was lucky enough to get a ride around the grounds with the head concierge and was beaming when he came back to tell me of his luxury car experience.
As the sun was going down in Northern Ireland we made our way back to the airport and home to Birmingham.
We left the gorgeous Galgorm Resort and Spa feeling refreshed and relaxed.
I would recommend this place if you want a full spa experience with a range of thermal rooms and hot tubs, classes and treatments, golf, tennis and more. All of this set in some of the most glorious natural landscape. And if you can opt for the suite you are in for some ultimate luxury experience.
And if you can opt for the suite you are in for some ultimate luxury experience.
We adored our time there and can’t wait to visit again soon.
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Thank you to Galgorm Resort and Spa for hosting us.
Book your hotel and spa experience here.
We flew to Belfast International direct from Birmingham Airport with Easyjet.
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